# と共に（とともに）: together with; at the same time as

> Learn how to use と共に（とともに）, a JLPT N3 Japanese grammar point meaning together with; at the same time as, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N3 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n3-to-tomo-ni/

**と共に（とともに）** means **together with; at the same time as**. It is a **JLPT N3** grammar pattern used to **show accompaniment, simultaneous change, or addition**.

This grammar point often appears in **neutral** Japanese. If you want to **show accompaniment, simultaneous change, or addition**, **と共に（とともに）** is a useful pattern to learn.

## What does と共に（とともに） mean?

Use **と共に（とともに）** when you want to **show accompaniment, simultaneous change, or addition**.

Natural translations include:
- together with; at the same time as
- together with
- together with / at the same time as

## How to form と共に（とともに）

<div class="formation">
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="ftoken t-stem">Noun / Verb dictionary form</span>
    <span class="fplus">+</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-core">と共に</span>
  </div>
</div>

Examples of the pattern:
- <ruby>家族<rt>かぞく</rt></ruby>と<ruby>共<rt>とも</rt></ruby>に
- <ruby>成長<rt>せいちょう</rt></ruby>すると<ruby>共<rt>とも</rt></ruby>に
- <ruby>時代<rt>じだい</rt></ruby>と<ruby>共<rt>とも</rt></ruby>に

## When is と共に（とともに） used?

Use **と共に（とともに）** in situations like:
- explaining grammar in context
- answering JLPT reading questions
- making natural Japanese sentences

Tone and register:
- neutral
- Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

## と共に（とともに） example sentences

<div class="examples">

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>家族<rt>かぞく</rt></ruby>と<ruby>共<rt>とも</rt></ruby>に<ruby>日本<rt>にほん</rt></ruby>へ<ruby>来<rt>き</rt></ruby>ました。</div>
<div class="example-en">I came to Japan together with my family.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">accompaniment</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>年<rt>とし</rt></ruby>を<ruby>取<rt>と</rt></ruby>ると<ruby>共<rt>とも</rt></ruby>に、<ruby>考<rt>かんが</rt></ruby>え<ruby>方<rt>かた</rt></ruby>も<ruby>変<rt>か</rt></ruby>わる。</div>
<div class="example-en">As we get older, our way of thinking changes too.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">simultaneous change</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>は<ruby>歌手<rt>かしゅ</rt></ruby>であると<ruby>共<rt>とも</rt></ruby>に、<ruby>俳優<rt>はいゆう</rt></ruby>でもある。</div>
<div class="example-en">He is an actor as well as a singer.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">addition</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>時代<rt>じだい</rt></ruby>と<ruby>共<rt>とも</rt></ruby>に、<ruby>言葉<rt>ことば</rt></ruby>も<ruby>変化<rt>へんか</rt></ruby>する。</div>
<div class="example-en">Language changes together with the times.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">simultaneous change</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>喜<rt>よろこ</rt></ruby>びと<ruby>共<rt>とも</rt></ruby>に、<ruby>不安<rt>ふあん</rt></ruby>も<ruby>感<rt>かん</rt></ruby>じた。</div>
<div class="example-en">Along with joy, I also felt anxiety.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">accompaniment</span></div>
</div>

</div>

## Nuance of と共に（とともに）

The key nuance is **a natural way to express “together with; at the same time as” with the right context and tone**.

This matters because **と共に（とともに）** does more than match a single English phrase. It shows how the speaker frames the condition, timing, example, role, intention, or contrast in the sentence.

For example:
- In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
- Compared with **[一緒に](/blog/n5-issho-ni/)**, it has a different focus and level of formality.

## と共に（とともに） vs 一緒に

Both **と共に（とともに）** and **[一緒に](/blog/n5-issho-ni/)** can appear in related situations, but they are different.

<div class="compare">

<div class="cmp">
<div class="cmp-head">と共に（とともに）</div>
<div class="cmp-sub">together with; at the same time as</div>
<div class="cmp-when">Fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above. More formal; can express simultaneous change or “as well as”.</div>
<div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>家族<rt>かぞく</rt></ruby>と<ruby>共<rt>とも</rt></ruby>に<ruby>日本<rt>にほん</rt></ruby>へ<ruby>来<rt>き</rt></ruby>ました。</div>
<div class="cmp-eg-en">I came to Japan together with my family.</div>
</div>

<div class="vs">vs</div>

<div class="cmp">
<div class="cmp-head"><a href="/blog/n5-issho-ni/">一緒に</a></div>
<div class="cmp-sub">everyday “together”</div>
<div class="cmp-when">More casual; does not express simultaneous change or “as well as”.</div>
</div>

</div>

Quick contrast examples:
- Target: <ruby>家族<rt>かぞく</rt></ruby>と<ruby>共<rt>とも</rt></ruby>に<ruby>日本<rt>にほん</rt></ruby>へ<ruby>来<rt>き</rt></ruby>ました。 — I came to Japan together with my family.
- Compare: Try replacing it with **[一緒に](/blog/n5-issho-ni/)** and check whether the nuance still matches.

## Common mistakes with と共に（とともに）

<div class="mistakes">

<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline">
<div class="mark bad">❌</div>
<div class="mline-body">Using <strong>と共に（とともに）</strong> with the wrong verb form or attachment.</div>
</div>
<div class="mline">
<div class="mark good">✅</div>
<div class="mline-body">Attach it to a noun or a verb in dictionary form.</div>
</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline">
<div class="mark bad">❌</div>
<div class="mline-body">Confusing <strong>と共に（とともに）</strong> with <strong>一緒に</strong> in formal or simultaneous-change contexts.</div>
</div>
<div class="mline">
<div class="mark good">✅</div>
<div class="mline-body">Use <strong>と共に（とともに）</strong> for formal accompaniment or “as well as”; use <strong>一緒に</strong> for casual “together”.</div>
</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline">
<div class="mark bad">❌</div>
<div class="mline-body">Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence.</div>
</div>
<div class="mline">
<div class="mark good">✅</div>
<div class="mline-body">Read the surrounding context to decide whether it means “together with” or “at the same time as”.</div>
</div>
</div>

</div>

## Is と共に（とともに） on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
<div class="jlpt-shield">N3</div>
<div class="jlpt-info">
<p>Yes. <strong>と共に（とともに）</strong> is commonly taught as <strong>JLPT N3</strong> grammar.</p>
<p>That means learners should be able to:</p>
</div>
<div class="jlpt-checks">
<ul>
<li>recognize it in reading</li>
<li>understand its nuance in context</li>
<li>use it in simple original sentences</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>

## Practice questions for と共に（とともに）

<div class="prompts">

<div class="prompt">
<div class="prompt-num">1</div>
<div class="prompt-text">Write one sentence using <strong>と共に（とともに）</strong>.</div>
<div class="prompt-tag">production</div>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
<div class="prompt-num">2</div>
<div class="prompt-text">Contrast <strong>と共に（とともに）</strong> with <strong>一緒に</strong> in your own example.</div>
<div class="prompt-tag">comparison</div>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
<div class="prompt-num">3</div>
<div class="prompt-text">Make a JLPT-style sentence where the context makes the meaning clear.</div>
<div class="prompt-tag">context</div>
</div>

</div>

## Learning path for と共に（とともに）

To learn **と共に（とともに）** efficiently, start with simple change expressions, then practice two linked clauses where one change naturally follows another.

<div class="path">

<div class="path-step">
<div class="step-num">1</div>
<div class="step-body">Make sure you can form <strong>と共に（とともに）</strong> without looking at the pattern chart.</div>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
<div class="step-num">2</div>
<div class="step-body">Compare it with <a href="/blog/n5-issho-ni/">一緒に（いっしょに）</a> and <a href="/blog/n3-ni-shitagatte/">にしたがって</a>. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.</div>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
<div class="step-num">3</div>
<div class="step-body">Write sentences about age, weather, prices, habits, or gradual progress; then check whether replacing <strong>と共に（とともに）</strong> with <a href="/blog/n3-ni-tsurete/">につれて</a> changes the meaning.</div>
</div>

</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [一緒に（いっしょに）](/blog/n5-issho-ni/) — because it is the closest comparison used in this article.
- [にしたがって](/blog/n3-ni-shitagatte/) — because it also describes change, degree, or development over time.
- [につれて](/blog/n3-ni-tsurete/) — because it also describes change, degree, or development over time.
- [ば～ほど](/blog/n3-ba-hodo/) — because it also describes change, degree, or development over time.

## Learn と共に（とともに） with Hane

If you want to review **と共に（とともに）** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N3 grammar lessons](/blog/n3/)